GUWAHATI, Oct 21 - A scintillating display by Indian skipper Virat Kohli and opener Rohit Sharma saw India register a thumping eight-wicket victory against the West Indies at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara here today.
Both the players scored magnificent hundreds to provide the spectators something worth memorable. The West Indies bowling attack, as well as their fielding completely failed to deliver and the Indian batsmen hardly had any difficulty in chasing the total in 42.1 overs.
Chasing a competitive total of 322, India didn�t have the best of starts as Shikhar Dhawan (4) was bowled by debutant Oshane Thomas with the team score at 10 for one.
With Kohli (140 off 107) making his way to the middle, he took absolute command of the situation and along with Rohit (152 n.o.) put up a partnership of 246 runs. Kohli was out while trying to drive but failed to get a touch and was stumped by Devendra Bishoo. His innings included 21 boundaries and two sixes while Rohit struck 15 boundaries and eight sixes.
Earlier, India opted to bowl after winning the toss on a sunny afternoon.
The major highlight of the West Indies innings was Shimron Hetmyer�s century � the first one in an international match at the venue.
West Indies opener Chandrapaul Hemraj (9) looked in good touch but ended up playing a pull shot only to drag the ball back onto the stumps. It was Mohammed Shami�s first wicket on his return to ODI cricket.
Despite losing the first wicket on 19 runs, Kieran Powell (51) and Shai Hope (32) played some sensible cricket to stitch a partnership of 65 runs. Powell went on to reach his half-century off 36 deliveries but failed to carry on for long as he was dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed.
Marlon Samuels who was playing his 200th match failed to make an impact as he was adjudged leg before wicket to a Yuzvendra Chahal delivery without even opening his account. The visitors were 86 for three when Hetmyer walked into the middle.
Shami went on to grab his second scalp with the dismissal of Hope. Ravindra Jadeja picked up the wicket of Rovman Powell (22). Powell�s attempt to slog-sweep failed to connect and rattled the leg stump with the scoreboard reading 188 for five.
Hetmyer went on to become the first centurion at the Barsapara stadium with a knock of 106 off 78 deliveries which included six hits to the fence and six over the fence. Hetmyer�s slog-sweep off a Jadeja delivery was well caught by Rishabh Pant in the deep. Bishoo (22) and Kemar Roach (26) chipped in with some valuable runs towards the end to guide the visitors to a strong total of 322 for eight.
SCORECARD
West Indies: Kieran Powell c Dhawan b Ahmed 51, Chandrapaul Hemraj b Mohammed Shami 9, Shai Hope c Dhoni b Mohammed Shami 32, Marlon Samuels lbw b Chahal 0, Shimron Hetmyer c Pant b Jadeja 106, Rovman Powell b Jadeja 22, Jason Holder b Chahal 38, Ashley Nurse lbw b Chahal 2, Devendra Bishoo not out 22, Kemar Roach not out 26; Extras: (LB-6, W-8) 14. Total: (for 8 wickets in 50 overs) 322. Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-84, 3-86, 4-114, 5-188, 6-248, 7-252, 8-278. Bowling: Mohammed Shami 10-0-81-2, Umesh Yadav 10-0-64-0, Khaleel Ahmed 10-0-64-1, Yuzvendra Chahal 10-0-41-3, Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-66-2.
India: Rohit Sharma not out 152, Shikhar Dhawan b Thomas 4, Virat Kohli st Hope b Bishoo 140, AT Rayudu not out 22; Extras: (lb 2, nb 3, w 3) 8. Total: (for 2 in 42.1 overs) 326. Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-256. Bowling: KAJ Roach 7-0-52-0, O Thomas 9-0-83-1, JO Holder 8-0-45-0, AR Nurse 7-0-63-0, D Bishoo 10-0-72-1, C Hemraj 1.1-0-9-0
